MCKEE — As the light rain continued to fall in Somerset during last week’s 10th Region Tournament, for the Summer’s family, this past high school golf season was particularly touching as it marked an end of an era.
Tydus, the oldest of the three Summers brothers, will be graduating soon, and last week’s tournament signaled the conclusion of their journey together participating on the Jackson County High School varsity golf team.
The Jackson County golf team was unique: three out of five varsity golfers were the Summers brothers.
“It may not be very uncommon,” Jeanna Summers, the mother of Tydus, Micah and Eli, “but the Jackson County golf team is literally a team of brothers.”
She joked Jackson County boys’ golf coach Tanner Morgan had certainly faced his share of challenges, not just in coaching the sport, but in managing the sibling rivalry that often erupted during their travels to matches.
“He definitely has his hands full,” she said.
“It feels good to be able to be on a team with my brothers,” Tydus said. “It’s special to me because I will never get to be apart of that team again. It is also great to have our most successful season since I’ve been playing golf and the fact it was with my family makes it that much better.”
Tydus of course was talking about Jackson County capturing the Appalachian Cup along with the All ‘A’ Region championship.
As Tydus prepared to say goodbye to his high school golf career, Micah had just qualified for the semi-state tournament, securing a spot as one of the top ten individual players.
“I think it’s important, leading to a successful season,” Micah said of his and his team’s success.
Eighth grader Eli agreed.
Sharing the course with his brothers had been a highlight of the season.
“Playing with my two brothers this season has been awesome,” he said. “And, being able to spend that time with the both of them on the golf course and being able to share this season with them has been awesome, especially since it’s Tydus’s senior year.
“We have been grinding to get better and holding each other accountable has led us to become better golfers, and even though we came short in the region, it was awesome to be able to share this season with them.”
During their time together on the golf course, their bond as brothers and friends continued to grow.
“It’s the first year we have had success in winning anything,” Micah said. “Plus it was a good year playing with my brothers, all three, for the last time considering my oldest brother is graduating.”
So now both Tydus and Eli look forward to cheering on Micah next week during the KHSAA Semi-State Tournament.
The fairway may have seen the end of one chapter, but it has also paved the way for many new beginnings for the three brothers —in life, in golf, and in brotherhood.
